8
ALPHESIBOEUS
through woodland and deep grove, sinks wearied out
on the green sedge beside a stream, love-lorn,
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nor marks the gathering night that calls her home—
as pines that heifer, with such love as hers
may Daphnis pine, and I not care to heal.
These relics once, dear pledges of himself,
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the traitor left me, which, O earth, to thee
here on this very threshold I commit—
pledges that bind him to redeem the debt.
These herbs of bane to me did Moeris give,
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in Pontus culled, where baneful herbs abound.
With these full oft have I seen Moeris change
to a wolf's form, and hide him in the woods,
oft summon spirits from the tomb's recess,
and to new fields transport the standing corn.
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Take ashes, Amaryllis, fetch them forth,
and o'er your head into the running brook
fling them, nor look behind: with these will
upon the heart of Daphnis make essay.
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Nothing for gods, nothing for songs cares he.
